New member here. I have joined your great site because i have narrowed down my next choice for my next car to be a TL-S 6spd man.


I currently drive a 97 Prelude type Sh and i have become bored of it after owning it for 5 years. I need something faster, luxurious, 4 doors, and better looking.


the TL-S fills that spot and my question to you is how a TL-S's handling compares to a prelude. My favorite feature of my lude besides the looks is the handling.

Does a TL-S handle better, much better, or the same and what are the differences?


also does the gearbox feel nice and firm when shifting?


thank you,

 

TL-S or any TL for the matter handles awesome stock. Then get some sticky tires, a progress rear sway bar, nice suspension and you are ready for the track.

 

While the TL-S is a nice car, good looking, carry 5, probably faster acceleration, but you can't expect it to have better handling than your Prelude SH in terms of handling, i am not saying TL's not fast on the track, but it definitely understeer more than prelude on the limit.
After all, one is a 4 door sedan, or sport sedan whatever you call, the other one is a 2 door sport coupe. Other than handling i guess TL's pretty much better in everything, better sound insulation, newer interior, leather, navi, 6 speed.
I personally like the Tl's clutch and gear box feeling lot better, but that's just me.
Both are good cars in their time and their class.

 

i hope it is not too much understeer. My mom has a base 04 camry and that thing understeers like a mofo. I hope the Tl-S does not have understeering like that.


the lude gets very little understeer for a FWD, but my biggest gripe is torque, i need more power in the low revs and thats where the J35 comes in.

 

^^^well the TL is much different than a camry i can tell you that. but go test drive on

 

Please don't compare a Camry and a TL-S..

 

very hard to find a 6mt tl-s thats close to me. All autos around my area.


I might just make another long trip to test drive a 6mt, or just wait until the day that i'm ready to pull the trigger.


the other day i made an 80 mile trip to test drive a 6mt, i showed up and was told the car was getting touch ups and not available for test drives. i was pissed

 

Haha, the camry, i know what you're talking about.
TL or TL-S definitely won't understeer like those Camry or Avalon. All MT TL has LSD after all, and suspension is not so toyota boat like.

Torque? oh yeah the 3.2 and 3.5 will give you way more low end torque than the H22. Have you ever considered a non-type S? I personally think the 3.2 is enough. Members here have claimed MT 3.2 is faster than Auto 3.5!

Off topic, i still like the H22, rev happy

 

I must have the type-s. The rims, navigation, back up camera, tails, j35, red gauges, and KBP!!!


the h22 is a good engine. It's nothing special under 4,500 rpm but its a raped ape after the 4,500. That engine just begs to be driven hard. very rev happy and takes tons of abuse.

probably gonna keep the lude for work transportation, and keep the tl-s for the weekends and for the females.

 

kbp 6mt will be tough to find. be patient though

 

yes i agree.


i have only seen one kbp 6mt tl-s. the other 90% are auto.


but i would settle for nbp or wdp.

 

You can't really compare a 2 door sports car with a 4 door. It probably drives like a boat to you on your first drive since you are used to a prelude. That was my first impression on the car. TL even a S is an entry level luxury sedan that's fast, good looking and handles decent. If that's what you are looking for you won't be disappointed. If you are seeking a great handling car you should probably look at BMW 3's.

 

Maybe you can't but I can, lets look at some numbers:

1997 Prelude Type SH
Skidpad: .89g
Slalom: 66.6mph

Source: http://motortrend.automotive.com/745...-sh/index.html

2008 Acura TL Type S
Skidpad: .91g
Slalom: 66.0mph

Source: http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=4460

Seem like a pretty good numbers for a "car that drives like a boat". (Note: My car does not drive like a boat )

 

I currently own (AUTO) WDP 04 acura tl, but honesttly i missed my 94 V-TECH prelude 5 speeds.
Stick shift is more fun and my prelude handling better than my TL (SHOULD HAVE GOT THE 6 spd TL ).
TL-S IS THE WAY TO GO MAN
I DO LOVE THE TL MORE BECAUSE LUXURIOUS MORE COMFORTABLE.
https://acurazine.com/forums/picture...pictureid=9544

 

good find.

 

Try driving a prelude or a good sports car for some time and drive your TL, yes it'll feel like a boat. The car is capable, but it does not handle like a true sports car should be, is that even an argument?

 

My sister used to have a 97 Prelude. Decent little car but drove like a go cart. I guess my point is you cant really compare the Prelude to a newer TL as they are completely different cars. I came from a Corvette Z06 so I know all about handling and acceleration and I am 100% happy with my 07 non type S TL. Im not sure how much of a difference 30 HP will feel like between the type S and non type S. That isnt much HP difference.
Also, just curious do you race the car or something? For everyday driving I dont see why handling would be of much concern. The TL will be more than sufficient for everyday spirited driving!! I love mine!

 

I too owned a Prelude 98&01. Both were base, 98 was manual, 01 was auto. In terms of handling the TL is a little more ponderous, mine is an 06 auto. I have swapped out wheels for staggered 19's 255front and 275 rear, also have slotted rotors and carbon ceramic pads. The handling now is great, not like a Prelude by any means, but much better. The prelude was an awesome car and I still miss my 98 today! The TSX is a slower car, however, i think that it drives more like a 4door prelude...although slower. In the end the TL is a great car and I highly recommend it.... You'll miss the lude!!

 

I am not arguing that the TL is a sports car, I am arguing the fact that it drives like a boat. When I think of somethin that drives like a boat I think of something like a Lincoln town car lol. I just didn't want the OP to get the wrong impression thats all.

 

OP: if you ever need a replacement ATTS unit for the SH lude, I have a good low mileage part for sale.

The 3G is not "boat like" handling. They stiffened the susp a bit from the 2G. Lexus LS, now that's like a boat.

If your looking to do serious performance/engine mods, I would look into getting a mint, older 6MT TSX.

 

What I meant is that it will "drive like a boat" on his first test drive if he is used to his prelude. I came from BMW 3 and that was my very first feeling towards this car on the test drive and then I realized how much I was spoiled by the previous car. Once you get used to it it's just another car. However, I still don't feel as comfortable pushing to the limits.

I am not even gonna say what a TSX felt like on my test drive. I'll give you a quote from the salesman though, "if you shift at a lower RPM it's not as bad".

 

are u saying that the tl is slower than a prelude?

or do u mean tsx?







read it again. i get it now